As I write this from home I'm keeping a close eye on our puppies Bramble and Misty. They're wearing post-op collars to stop them from nibbling their stitches.

They've been spayed this week and I was just about to write how they're feeling down in the dumps but they're now chasing each other through the hallway! I guess, at least, the collar will serve as a bit of a bumper if they knock into anything. They seem very happy right now!

We're very lucky with our veterinary practice. Our vet clearly adores animals as do the veterinary nurses and the rest of the staff. Our two puppies are always made very welcome and are adored and cared for beautifully.

We opted for keyhole surgery (I'm a devoted follower of Casualty and Holby so I pretend I'm an expert!) which was a complete success and they're clearly onto a speedy recovery! Speaking of Casualty, will Nick Jordan ever return? Hope so!

Misty is now chasing her tail… I think she's getting dizzy!

It's been an incredibly busy week at QVC. So many highlights – including Anything Goes on Saturday night when John Barrowman joined me. Then on Sunday evening it was a heavenly hour of EasiYo.

I promised you the truffle recipe which Jilly our guest has kindly provided! See below. They are well worth making, they taste incredible!

Crush cookies in a blender. Mix cookies with Easiyo cheese in a bowl until there are no traces of white remaining.

Roll teaspoons of the mixture into balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Refrigerate for about an hour.

Break milk and dark chocolate into pieces, place in microwaveable bowl and melt gradually, checking and stirring frequently until smooth.

Coat balls thoroughly with the melted chocolate mix and refrigerate again until cool.

Melt white chocolate and using a fork drizzle over the cooled chocolate balls.

To make Easiyo strained yoghurt cheese:

Line a sieve or colander with a large coffee filter or muslin cloth and place over a bowl to catch the whey that will slowly drain off of the yoghurt.

Tip 1 litre of freshly made (but chilled) Easiyo Greek yoghurt into the sieve and then place the bowl with the sieve on top in the fridge for around 24 hours or until most of the whey has drained out of the yoghurt and you are left with a firm cream cheese.

Weigh out 250g for the truffle recipe above and use the remainder spread on crackers or toast or perhaps mixed with some herbs or chopped nuts.

Having just written the above I think this blog should come with a warning! On reading the recipe I had to nip into the kitchen to devour come milk chocolate with a glass of cold milk… Delicious!

Onto other matters, non food related! I'm looking forward to my next Destination Gems show this Tuesday 12th March at 8pm. This week our destination is Brazil – world renowned for its wonderful and diverse source of gemstone. We have a fabulous line up for you.

I recently met with our buyers and with the producer of the show and they told me they'd just booked a last minute flight to Frankfurt.

One of our suppliers was in touch to tell us how he has secured a beautiful collection of stones at an incredible price. How could we resist! We'll be able to reveal more on the show! Ok, I think I'd better sign off now, the puppies have fallen silent but there's a chewing sound coming from the hallway… hopefully not the little side chair which has been in the family for generations!!

Morning Charlie.
Oh dear poor Misty and Bramble. It reminds me when Bella was spayed 8 years ago. There was no keyhole surgery then so she 10 stitches and I had to buy baby socks and tape them on her to stop scratching.
Bella got such a shock when you said hallo to her the other night. She jumped up of the chair [ she was on the chair I was pirched on the egde–good job i’m only small] she looked at the TV looked at me and stood in front of the TV for quiet a while. She didn’t how-ever like the new 2013 plumo bear, she wouldn’t stop growling at it. I think it was the pile.
She was fascinated with the link-up with Ralph [ from honora pearls] the other night. My aquamarine earrings came the other day and I was amazed at how bright the blue is and for the price..wow. Looking forward to the next gem show.
An Easter card with photo’s will be in the post next week for you.
Love Debby and a very BIG whoof from bella and 2 little whoofs to the puppies from Bella

Hi Charlie thanks for the recipe I love Easi Yo so will definitely be making these as I also love chocolate.
The puppies are adorable I remember when my English setter was spayed many years ago she looked so poorly for days afterwards I felt very guilty as she looked at me with those big sad eyes. She soon recovered though and forgot all about it.
Keep up the good work at QVC I love you doing food shows you obviously enjoy them!!
Marie xx

Hi Charlie
I always look forward to your Destination Gem shows. I know I should not say or have a fav but I do feel you bring something to gem shows that the others don’t. ( Here’s hoping the other presenters don’t read this).
QVC must never drop this show.
Keep up the good work Charlie
Helen

Hi Charlie just wanted to ask a quick question, hopefully you don’t mind.I have two gorgeous cats(sisters) Lola and Rosie guess who they are named after? We live in Mallorca and poor Lola suffers from skin rashes in the heat and she has to wear a plastic collar to stop her licking and scratching.I noticed on your blog your pups wearing a different kind of collar what do you think of this type of collar to be honest it looks more comfortable?Does it do the job of stopping them getting at wound.
Thank you for your help
Karen Stevenson

Hello Debby and of course whoofs to Bella!
The recovery from the ops is going well for both pups! Im thrilled you love the earrings, gorgeous aren’t they!
I hope we didn’t alarm Bella too much when we mentioned her name on air… I don’t often say hello to our four legged friends when on air but with Charlie Bears just about anything can happen – as we know!
Take care and looking forward to seeing the pictures.
Charlie x

Hi Marie, yes, I do LOVE presenting food shows! I make a special deal with the guest….. I eat and they talk!
As a youngster we had an English Setter. Her name was Molly and she was amazing and possibly the most mischievous dog ever… She also loved food!
Cheers
Charlie.

Hello Helen, thank you so much for your kind words. It’s ok…. I don’t think the others read my blog very often….. Ssshhhhhhh, I won’t say a word!!
I love presenting jewellery and it’s flattering to hear how much you enjoy the hour.
Take care
Charlie

Hello Karen,
Thanks for your reply. I love the names Lola and Rosie…. I can’t imagine what inspired the names! Brilliant!
The collars the vet gave us were fantastic and actually looked really comfortable and seemed to help cushion when the puppies were charging around knocking into things!
Whether they’re suitable for cats I don’t know. It’s probably best to see what your vet suggests.
Warmest wishes
Charlie, Misty and Bramble!

Thanks for that I am going to give them a try and see how we get on,the vets here I’m Mallorca have never seen this type before,I have ordered some from the UK
All the best to you Lola and Rosie send their love x